Prior to the amendment, free agency was non-existent and basketball franchises owned players which forbade them from discussing with another franchise as long as they had a contract with the franchise. At Crispus Attucks, Robertsons natural physical abilities and instincts were polished by coach Ray Crowe, who was obsessed with teaching the basics of the game. [4] Robertson attends many of the games there, viewing the Bearcats from a chair at courtside. Robertson exploded onto the NBA scene, finishing third in the league in scoring (30.5 ppg) and winning Rookie of the Year honors for 1960-61. During the wedding ceremony, which occurred at the Carmel Presbyterian Church in front of family and friends, Oscar wore a black morning coat while Yvonne looked as beautiful as always. . No other player excelled in as many ways as Robertson did. [1] The Royals advanced to the Eastern Division Finals, but succumbed in a seven-game series against a Boston Celtics team led by Bill Russell. Oscar Robertson was then attracted to Yvonne's gorgeousness, intelligence, and talent as a pianist that the duo started dating for two years. . He broke the assists record by Bob Cousy, who had recorded 715 assists two seasons earlier, by logging 899, and joined Johnny Green and Elgin Baylor as the only players in NBA history with the height of 6'5 or smaller to have grabbed 900+ rebounds in a season. Oscar Robertson. Oscar Robertson 2022 Prizm Draft Picks Hyper Basketball Card. [38] These numbers are even more astonishing if it is taken into account that the three-point shot, which benefits sharpshooting backcourt players, did not exist when he played. Check ESPN listings for rebroadcast information. Let us know if you have suggestions to improve this article (requires login). Elg off the board. With his legs starting to go, Robertson considered retirement. Oscar Palmer Robertson (born November 24, 1938), nicknamed "the Big O", is an American former professional basketball player who played for the Cincinnati Royals and Milwaukee Bucks in the National Basketball Association (NBA). Robertson was the first selection of the 1960 NBA draft and earned Rookie of the Year honours that season with the Cincinnati Royals. In the postseason, the Royals muscled past the 76ers in five games, only to meet the mighty Celtics in the division finals. He was thus given a $33,000 signing bonus. Despite his success on the court, Robertson's college career was soured by racism. Before that, the Oscar Robertson Rule was established in 1976, and the ABA-NBA merger allowed the NBA to expand for the 1976-77 season. (The system allowed a team to claim a local college player in exchange for giving up its first-round pick.) He preferred to play basketball over baseball, which was more popular in the neighborhood because it was "a poor kids' game". Also in 1980, Robertson was named to the NBA 35th Anniversary Team. After their championship game wins, the team was paraded through town in a regular tradition, but they were then taken to a park outside downtown to continue their celebration, unlike other teams. [4], Robertson's stellar play led the Bearcats to a 799 overall record during his three varsity seasons, including two Final Four appearances; however, a championship eluded Robertson, something that would become a repeated occurrence until late in his professional career. 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The pair met at the University of Cincinnati for the first time. After his successful high school career, he went on to play for the University of Cincinnati. Oscar Robertson was born in Charlotte, Tennessee, on November 24, 1938. He led his team to claim the state championship twice, first in his junior year and second in his senior year where they recorded 45 successive victories. When we won back in '71, it was a big deal. In 2003, he published his own autobiography, The Big O: My Life, My Times, My Game. Seller assumes all responsibility for this listing. His college career was marred by racism. [2], Robertson attended Crispus Attucks High School, an all-black high school, where he was coached by Ray Crowe, whose emphasis on a fundamentally sound game had a positive effect on his style of play. The couple got married in Cincinnati, Ohio. He was born under the zodiac sign of Sagittarius and he was born in Tennessee in the United States of America and he is 6 feet and 5 inches tall. The team, however, remained in the Western Division cellar. In what stands as a classic series, an Abdul-Jabbar sky-hook in double-overtime of Game 6 gave the Bucks new life and forced a Game 7. Dating Oscar Robertson gives off the impression of being a solitary person, but in reality, he is a married man. Basketball, Thinking, Able. He thus retired from basketball. 1938-American basketball player. He is so great he scares me, Celtics Coach Red Auerbach once said. AmoMama creates engaging, meaningful content for women. [16] In his rookie season, Robertson averaged 30.5 points, 10.1 rebounds, and 9.7 assists (leading the league), almost averaging a triple-double for the entire season. [43], Robertson is the son of Mazell and Bailey Robertson. [2], Robertson was enshrined in the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame on April 28, 1980. Aromando, Damian; Robertson, Oscar (2000). Oscar Robertson, the Big O, is the player against whom all others labeled versatile are judged, and he may remain the standard forever. [12], After college, Robertson and Jerry West co-captained the 1960 U.S. basketball team at the 1960 Summer Olympics. Associated With He played alongside Kareem Abdul-Jabbar - then named Lew Alcindor - on the 1971 NBA Champion Milwaukee Bucks. After his retirement Robertson worked to improve the living conditions of African-Americans in his hometown of Indianapolis by helping to build affordable housing. Have you ever wondered how rich Oscar Robertson is, as of Biography facts, career and personal life of famous basketball players. Corrections? Robertson chose basketball over baseball. A host of former NBA players - current and former - including Oscar Robertson himself, congratulated Russell Westbrook on passing the all-time . "ESPN Sports Century", 30-minute program on Oscar Robertson as one of the 20th Century's fifty greatest athletes, first aired 1999. Long after his exit from the basketball scene, Robertson still serves as an inspiration for young budding basketball players. The all-Black school had brought home Indianapoliss first state championship. "To me, the top two are (Elgin) Baylor and Robertson. But his father, Bailey, lacked money to acquire farm machinery, so he moved his wife, Mazell, and three children, Bailey Jr., Henry and Oscar, to Naptown, Indiana. He, however, did not win the NCAA Championship. . The Big O made his first of 12 consecutive trips to the All-Star Game, winning the MVP award after scoring 23 points and setting a record with 14 assists, one better than Bob Cousys previous mark. #OscarRobertson #NBA #GOAT-Music:Neon Nox - Backup Data (https://youtu.be/Xg8aIjF0LCE)Neon Nox - Mass Effect (https://youtu.be/EPkWImlLa78)Retrodict - Close . Check out some rarely seen Oscar Robertson highlights with the Royals! He was Rookie of the Year in 1960-61, played in 12 straight All-Star Games, was selected to the All-NBA First Team nine consecutive seasons, won the MVP award in 1963-64, and helped the Milwaukee Bucks win the championship in 1971. As a player with the Cincinnati (Ohio) Royals of the National Basketball Association (NBA) in 196162, he averaged double figures in points (30.8), rebounds (12.5), and assists (11.4) per game, a feat unmatched by any other player until Russell Westbrook did so in 201617. After he graduated from high school, Robertson's impressive basketball skills got him admission to the University of Cincinnati, where he first met Yvonne. Updates? His best year there was the championship season, when he averaged 19.4 points, 8.2 assists and 5.7 rebounds per . They started dating and their dating lasted for two years. In the projects he not only learned basketball but also learned firsthand about racial discrimination and economic inequality. [1] In addition, he was named the 1961 NBA All-Star Game MVP following his 23-point, 14-assist, 9-rebound performance in a West victory; however, the Royals finished with a 3346 record and stayed in the cellar of the Western Division. Oscar Robertson 2018-19 Panini Prizm #125 vs Jerry West Choice Blue Green Yellow. At age 31 and still searching for a championship, Robertson joined second-year center Abdul-Jabbar (then called Lew Alcindor) in the Bucks lineup. The Royals progressed to the Eastern Conference finals but were defeated by the Boston Celtics. He was drawn to basketball instead of baseball, which was more popular in the neighborhood, because it was a poor kids game. He learned how to shoot by tossing tennis balls and rags bound with rubber bands into a peach basket behind his familys home. [29], Starting in 2000, Robertson served as a director for Countrywide Financial Corporation, until the company's sale to Bank of America in 2008. He was also a superior ball handler, leading the league in assists six times. 12-time NBA All-Star, Oscar "The Big O" Robertson is married to his wife of 59 years, school teacher Yvonne Crittenden. Breaking down the Golden State-Los Angeles matchup with 3 things to watch, 1 X-factor and a series prediction. 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He Was Once Trolled for Being with His Alleged Girlfriend. The team became the first all-black high school team to win a state championship in the United States in . Rather than engaging in baseball which several kids of his time did, he had to settle with basketball which was believed to be a poor kid game. Oscar Robertson was the first player in NBA history to average a triple-double for a season. [14], Prior to the 196061 NBA season, Robertson made himself eligible for the 1960 NBA draft. The team went 31-1 in 1955 and 31-0 in 1956 (including a state-record 45 straight victories) and took state titles both years. His rookie scoring average of 30.5 points per game is the third-highest of any rookie in NBA history, and Robertson averaged more than 30 points per game in six of his first seven seasons. In 1972 and 1973, he helped his team win the division titles, and in 1974, he helped them to reach the NBA Finals. She Once Posed for Photos with a Plastic Surgeon, Who Was Adreian Payne? The Bucks cruised past the Bullets and their strong frontcourt of Wes Unseld and Gus Johnson in four games, the first Finals sweep in 12 years. Last Updated: April 2023. In each of his three years, he won the national scoring title, was named an All-American, and was chosen College Player of the Year, while setting 14 NCAA and 19 school records. Articles from Britannica Encyclopedias for elementary and high school students. [37] For his career, Robertson had 181 triple-doubles, a record that had never been approached for decades until by Westbrook in the 2020-21 season. Oscar Robertson is a well-recognized public figure with a global reputation. [33] The initiative sought exclusive grow rights for the group members while prohibiting all other cultivation except small amounts for personal use. If you are having difficulty accessing any content on this website, please visit our Accessibility page. In those days, Southern university programs such as Kentucky, Duke, and North Carolina did not recruit black athletes, and road trips to segregated cities were especially difficult, with Robertson often sleeping in college dorms instead of hotels. The Robertson v. National Basketball Assn case delayed the merger of the ABA and NBA. Robertsons playmaking and scoring brilliance were rewarded with commendation after commendation, and finally with an NBA title in the twilight of his career. Research genealogy for Oscar Robertson of Oklahoma, as well as other members of the Robertson family, on Ancestry. For his career, Robertson shot a high .485 field goal average and led the league in free-throw percentage twicein the 196364 and 196768 seasons. The players were driven outside of town to hold their party because, said Robertson in theIndianapolis Star, They said the Blacks are gonna tear up downtown.. Former Cavaliers general manager Wayne Embry is 76 -- one year older than Oscar Robertson, his former roommate, who turns 75 today, "Pound for pound, inch for inch, I think Oscar was the greatest . [39] For the Cincinnati Royals, now relocated and named the Sacramento Kings, he scored 22,009 points and 7,731 assists, and is the all-time leader in both statistics for the combined Royals/Kings teams. Golden State's star sharpshooter enjoys another historic moment, which also set his playoff career high. Although the Royals were firing on all cylinders and Robertson was in top form, Cincinnati was still no match for Boston, which won all four games by at least 10 points. Robertson also owns the chemical company Orchem, based in Cincinnati, Ohio.[45]. Robertson's impressive performance earned him a triple-double over his first five seasons in the NBA with the Royals recording averages of 30.3 points, 10.4 rebounds, and 10.6 assists per game in 451 games. When Robertson left college, he was the all-time leading NCAA scorer until fellow Hall-of-Fame player Pete Maravich topped him in 1970. [46] He is also a member of the Beta Eta chapter of Kappa Alpha Psi fraternity. [25] Robertson adds that he still could average a triple-double season in today's basketball and that he is highly skeptical that anyone else could do it; it was later done by Russell Westbrook in the 201617 season. Robertson was born in Charlotte, Tennessee, Robertson captained the U.S. basketball team, Oscar was named to the 35th NBA anniversary, Caitlyn Jenner Feels That 'Old Bruce' Still 'Lives Inside Her - Kids Call Her Dad Even After Transition, Gary Sinise Once Called a Disabled Vet & Father of 2 Struggling With Easy Tasks - He Got a Smart Home Later, No Friends Show Up for a Boy's 6th Birthday, Strangers Later Organize a Remarkable Day for Him, Steve Wilkos from 'The Steve Wilkos Show' Is a Loving Husband and Father Meet His Family, King of Sweden Broke Royal Tradition & Married a 'Commoner' Future Queen Had to Wear Disguise in Public. Language links are at the top of the page across from the title. [41] In 2017, it was announced that a life-sized bronze sculpture of Robertson would be featured alongside other Indiana sports stars at The Children's Museum of Indianapolis' Old National Bank Sports Legends Avenue of Champions, located in the museum's sports park opening in 2018. [8], In 1959, the Player of the Year Award was established to recognize the best college basketball player of the year by the U.S. Basketball Writers Association. $8.00. . And it took Chamberlains prodigious point totals to keep Robertson from winning a scoring title. Robertson donated one of his kidneys to his daughter, Tia, in 1997, as a result of kidney failure related to lupus. Oscar Robertson, Jr., 59, a native and resident of St. Francisville, LA, passed away Monday, April 13, 2015 at Our Lady of the Lake Regional Medical Center in Baton Rouge. Although six players have surpassed Robertsons career record of 9,887 assists, some argue that Robertsons total came in an era when an assist was credited much less generously than it is today. Few players in basketball history have rivaled the talent and versatility of the NBA All-Star known to fans as "The Big O." Averaging upwards of twenty-five points per game during fourteen stellar seasons with the Cincinnati Royals (1960-70) and the Milwaukee Bucks (1970-74), Oscar Robertson . 6 2005-06 Topps NBA Collectors Poker Chip White /599 Iguodala Oscar Robertson. He was raised in a segregated housing project in Indianapolis, Indiana after his parents relocated there when he was 18 months old. He won the All-Star and regular-season MVP Awards and led the Royals to a 55-25 record, good enough for second place in the Eastern Division. The landmark Oscar Robertson suit, filed against the league by the Players Association, stalled a proposed merger between the NBA and the American Basketball Association. Oscar found Yvonne to be gorgeous and a talented pianist. Oscar Robertson and LeBron James share a surprising number of similarities. As a result of his accomplishment and performance in his senior year he was named the 1956 Mr. Basketball. [34] Robertson appeared in a television advertisement advocating for passage of the initiative,[35] but it was ultimately defeated. [20], In the 196364 season, the Royals achieved a 5525 record,[21] which put them second place in the Eastern Division. From his sophomore year down to his senior year he claimed the College Player of the Year award and topped the scoring chart. He continues to stand atop the Bearcats' record book and the many records he still holds include points in one game at 62 (one of his six games of 50 points or more), career triple-doubles at 10, career rebounds per game at 15.2, and career points at 2,973. The fine results from Brooks failure to participate in team postgame media availability during the first round. In the same game during which he set the overall triple-double record, Westbrook also joined LeBron James, Oscar Robertson and Gary Payton as the only players in . In 1994, a nine-foot bronze statue of Robertson was erected outside the Fifth Third Arena at Shoemaker Center, the current home of Cincinnati Bearcats basketball. The first call, however, and one of the most meaningful came from one of the greatest players ever to pick up a basketball, Oscar Robertson. [19] In the 196263 season, Robertson further established himself as one of the greatest players of his generation, averaging 28.3 points, 10.4 rebounds and 9.5 assists, narrowly missing out on another triple-double season. [2] After his graduation that year, Robertson enrolled at the University of Cincinnati. "Big O" got to play with an all-star team of players, such as Kareem Abdul-Jabbar. in reaction to flashy or spectacular situations such as fast breaks, slam dunks, player collisions, etc. [22] From the 196465 season on, things began to turn sour for the franchise. Robert auctioned one of the jerseys he wore while playing for the Milwaukee Bucks, his Hall of Fame ring and a Championship ring. [15] On November 15, 1960, Robertson recorded a then-career-high of 44 points to go along with 15 rebounds and 11 assists in a 124115 win over the Philadelphia Warriors. [12] In 2022, the NBA renamed its Western Conference championship trophy after Robertson. Kevon Looney's historically elite rebounding provided separation in a winner-take-all Game 7. To help attract the public, 41-year-old head coach Bob Cousy made a short comeback as a player. In 1961-62, the season he averaged a triple-double, Robertson led the Royals to the first of six straight trips to the playoffs. "[2], The relationship between Oscar and the Royals had soured to the point that Cincinnati had also approached the Lakers and Knicks about deals involving their star player; the Knicks players who were discussed in those scenarios are unknown, but Los Angeles stated publicly that the Royals asked about Jerry West and Wilt Chamberlain, with the Lakers saying they would not consider trading either star. There, Robertson had the chance to end his stellar career with a second ring. His parents were Bailey and Mazell Robertson, and he had two siblings: Henry and Bailey, Jr. advertisement advertisement Education He also has two siblings and both are his brothers. We collect and tell stories of people from all around the world. As Robertson was the president of the Players Association, the case bore his name. His third season in the NBA, the 1963/64 season, saw him claim the league MVP, the only player to win it aside Wilt Chamberlian and Bill Russell in the 1960s. Oscar's family could not afford to buy a basketball; the youngster learned to shoot by tossing tennis balls and rags held together with rubber bands into a peach basket. An All-Star for five consecutive seasons with the Detroit Pistons and a 10-year NBA veteran who retired after the '63-64 season, Baltimore Bullet coach Gene Shue thinks of two men as the best ever. Oscar Robertson PPG 25.7 RPG 7.5 APG 9.5 HEIGHT 6'5" (1.96m) WEIGHT 205lb (93kg) COUNTRY USA LAST ATTENDED Cincinnati BIRTHDATE November 24, 1938 DRAFT 1960 R1 Pick 1 EXPERIENCE 14 Years Stats. Born in 1938, Robertson grew up in poverty, first in rural Tennessee and then in a segregated housing project in Indianapolis, Indiana. In addition, teams were no longer required to provide compensation when signing a free-agent player. I'll be honest, it really makes me reflect. Since that point, he has been an outspoken advocate for health and wellness, kidney disease prevention and organ transplantation on behalf of the National Kidney Foundation. Also known as: Oscar Palmer Robertson, the Big O. Encyclopaedia Britannica's editors oversee subject areas in which they have extensive knowledge, whether from years of experience gained by working on that content or via study for an advanced degree. It's a test of your strength and stamina and playing ability, really. What should have been a joyous culmination to that 1955 season . NBA.com is part of Warner Media, LLCs Turner Sports & Entertainment Digital Network, *Translations are limited to select pages, NBA Legends: Profiling the league's greats, Series preview: What to expect in Warriors-Lakers, 5 takeaways from Warriors' Game 7 victory, 5 takeaways from Heat's Game 1 win over Knicks, Curry sets Game 7 record with 50 points vs. Kings, Brooks fined $25K for violating interview rules. 1961-62 Cincinnati Royals Roster and Stats Previous Season Next Season Record: 43-37, Finished 2nd in NBA Western Division Coach: Charles Wolf (43-37) PTS/G: 123.1 (2nd of 9) Opp PTS/G: 121.3 (7th of 9) SRS: 1.28 (5th of 9) Pace: 124.9 (5th of 9) Off Rtg: 98.3 (1st of 9) Def Rtg: 96.9 (8th of 9) Net Rtg: +1.4 (5th of 9) After the wedding, Robertson captained the U.S. basketball team at the 1960 Summer Olympics into winning a gold medal, which earned him a spot to play for Cincinnati Royals in the NBA. Family Life He married Yvonne Crittenden in 1960, and they had two daughters together. Milwaukee breezed by the San Francisco Warriors and Los Angeles to reach The Finals against the Baltimore Bullets. Yvonne Crittenden is married to Oscar Robertson, a retired professional basketball player. In 1998, in honour of the records and accomplishments in the NCAA, the NCAA Division I Player of the Year was named the Oscar Robertson Trophy. [2] Robertson himself said: "I think he was wrong and I will never forget it. I called my wife. At the University of Cincinnati Robertson recorded amazing performance.
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